Jeepney Press : Neriza Saito

On the Road to: Some ideas for a Perfect Christmas away from home!

Elizabeth Marie Estrada - Labor Attaché, POLO Osaka

A while ago, before sitting down and writing the Christmas edition of my column, I pondered upon the gist of the presentations of the webinars on “Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan” jointly organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka and the Philippine Franchise Association coordinated by the new Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Osaka and the Department of Trade and Industry Osaka in cooperation with the Philippine Community Coordinating Council (PCCC).

The first webinar was held last Nov. 8 with presentations of well-known franchisers such as Richard Sanz, Chris Lim and Sheryll Quintana and famous franchises like Bibingkinitan, Citrus Zone, Big Smile Bread Station among others.

The second series was held today (Nov. 29) with presenters: Director Jerry Clavesillas of the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprises, DTI., Ms. Noreen Marian Bautista, an entrepreneurship advocate and Mr. Clarke Nebrao, President of the Association of Laguna Food Processors.

Coincidentally, I was listening to Jose Mari Chan’s “Perfect Christmas“ and I realized that many Filipino workers abroad will not be able to spend The Yuletide Season with their families in the Philippines because of the pandemic. And then again, I thought that the webinar would encourage many of our expatriates to think about starting a franchise business or get started on entrepreneurship to help their families back home as well as to generate income for those who have lost their jobs.

POLO Office in Osaka

Because it is our Christmas edition, we are very honored to have an interview with the Labor Attache of the new POLO Office in Osaka - Ms. Elizabeth Marie Estrada. Our first meeting with her was in January 2020 at the Philippine Consulate General when she was first introduced to the PCCC by Consul General Aileen Bugarin. The new Commercial Counselor, Mr. Emmanuel Ang was also present at the meeting. A few months later in October, we were invited to their new office along Midosuji Avenue in Osaka. Like a gracious “hermana mayor”, she was very accommodating, gracious and charming. Anyone would easily feel at home at their office. It was there where we had the meeting to discuss plans for the webinar series.

POLO Office in Osaka

After today’s webinar, I realized that even if we cannot be reunited with our families in the Philippines this Christmas, we can think of alternatives to make Christmas and all other Christmases as meaningful for our loved ones by starting a franchise business or an entrepreneurship to keep the economy going. Although Jose Mari Chan sings “My idea of a perfect Christmas is spending it with you,“ some will probably say: “My idea of a perfect Christmas is investing in something for you!“ If we don’t do it NOW, we cannnot OWN anything. And if we OWN something, then that’s the time we can say...WE WON!!!

Where in the Philippines do you come from?

I am a full-blooded Ilocana. I spent my childhood days in Cagayan Valley, in the very scenic coastal town of Claveria. Both my parents are Ilocano and I am the 3rd of six children. I spent my elementary and high school years in Claveria and left only when I started my college years at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

What position did you hold prior to your assignment to Osaka?

The last position I held prior to being appointed as Labor Attaché was that of the Regional Director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) - National Capital Region (NCR). At one point, I was also the Program Manager of the Medical Care Program for OFWs, also with OWWA, before the advent of the PhilHealth.

Which countries were you assigned first?

When I was still with OWWA, I was designated as Welfare Officer, first in Tokyo, Japan (1998-2000) and then in Seoul, South Korea (2006). From Seoul, I was transferred to Taiwan (2008) as the Philippine Labour Director-designate at the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taichung. In 2010, when I got my appointment as Labor Attaché, I was again transferred to our mission at the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi. I returned home to the Philippines in June, 2012 and was assigned at the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) where I was the Officer-in-Charge prior to my assignment as Labor Attaché to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from February, 2014 to August, 2019. After my tour of duty in Malaysia, I reported back to Manila. I was assigned to re-open the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Osaka, Japan and came here to head the POLO-Osaka in November, 2019.

Ms. Elizabeth Marie Estrada - Labor Attache of the new POLO Office in Osaka

When you first arrived in Japan, did you notice something different in behavior, dressing style, way of talking or relationships with other people?

My assignment to Osaka was not my first posting to Japan so you could say that I knew, more or less, what to expect when I arrived here. I was pleasantly surprised however that Japan has become more “friendly” to foreigners as exhibited by an abundance of signages and instructions in the English language and that the locals no longer cringe or run away from a foreigner when approached for directions. The Japanese have always been and remained fashionably dressed, if not a bit formal. I notice that their dressing is still dictated by the season such that I would not dress in something colorful during winter for fear of drawing attention to myself. Courtesy and politeness are still part of their nature, but they have become less formal and more friendly and accommodating.

When you are homesick, what in your childhood in the Philippines do you remember the most?

I must admit that I sometimes get homesick as my family is not with me and because of the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic. When I get homesick, I reminisce the good times from my childhood when the internet has not pervaded our entire lives. I grew up in a With generation Dole Secretary when Bebot children Bellodo not rely on the internet to entertain themselves, so our plays revolve around other children and siblings, playing hide and seek under a full moon, umbrella races, bathing under the pouring rain and taking long walks along the beach.

What is one good Filipino trait that your parents taught you?

Being respectful to others, especially to the old and the elderly, stands out from among the many good Filipino traits that my parents taught me, and which I also taught to my son. I believe that the world would be a better place to live in if only everyone respects everybody else.

Ms. Elizabeth Marie Estrada - Labor Attache of the new POLO Office in Osaka

What thing from the Philippines did you bring to Japan?

I brought some souvenir items for our give aways like pamaypay, picture frames made from capiz and tinalak as well as tinalak notebook covers. For my personal use, of course I brought my native Filipino attire, some South Sea pearl earring and necklace sets and accessories made from buffalo horn and semi-precious stones.

What items did you bring home as pasalubong from Japan when you went back home to the Philippines?

I brought home Kobe beef, Ichiran ramen and Royce chocolates.